We acknowledge that our work takes place on Treaty 1 Land,
homeland of the Cree, Ojibway, Dene, Dakota and Red River Métis peoples; and host to Inuit neighbours.

United Way Winnipeg donors have invested in Indigenous-led agency partners since 1965.

Working towards truth & reconciliation, inclusion, and success for all Winnipeggers will make our community stronger. We walk alongside the Indigenous communities in Winnipeg in a spirit of friendship.

Indigenous-led Agencies

United Way Winnipeg donors invest more than $2 million annually in many Indigenous-led agency partners—and many others that, while not governed and led by Indigenous people, do work in partnership with Indigenous communities.

Council for Indigenous Relations

The volunteer Council walks with United Way Winnipeg so we can hear the voices of the first peoples in our community.

Deb Radi, Co-Chair                                                                                          Andrew Spence
        Université de Saint-Boniface                                                                     Workers United Canada Council

Jordan Bighorn

Michael Redhead Champagne

Sarah Cook

Dina Ducharme

Marti Ford

Reid Hartry

Adam Johnston

Justin Morriseau

Shania Pruden

Kimberley Puhach

Michael Robertson

Cathy Woods

Timeline of key developments

Here’s a look at United Way Winnipeg’s continuing journey working with, advocating for, and embracing the Indigenous people in our community.

  • 1965

    United Way established & first investment in an Indigenous-led organization made.

  • 1999

    ‘Journey Forward’ community engagement highlights need to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities.

  • 2001

    Aboriginal Task Group created; proposes environmental scan of Winnipeg’s Indigenous citizens.

  • 2004

    Eagle’s Eye View 1st Edition published. First Aboriginal Relations Director hired.

  • 2005

    Board approves Aboriginal Relations Strategy & Aboriginal Relations Council (ARC).

  • 2009

    United Way donors investments in Indigenous-led agencies crosses the $1M mark.

  • 2010

    Eagle’s Eye View 2nd Edition published.

  • 2010

    Aboriginal Philanthropy in Canada: A Foundation for Understanding published with The Circle on Philanthropy & Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.

  • 2011

    Talking Stick gifted to United way by ARC at Feast.

  • 2014

    Art of Reciprocity Workshop customized for Manitoba in partnership with Native Americans in Philanthropy.

  • 2015

    United Way participates in ONE: The Mayor’s National Summit on Racial Inclusion & Our Summit Winnipeg. Aboriginal Relations Council renamed Council for Indigenous Relations (CIR). We’re the first United Way to sign on to the The Philanthropic Community’s Declaration of Action on the recommendations of the TRC. CIR partnered with Manitoba Inuit Association for the Legacy of Hope exhibition “We Were So Far Away: The Inuit Experience of Residential Schools.”

  • 2016

    CIR convenes Elders Circle to inform Moving Forward, our 3-year strategic plan, resulting in an inclusion strategy for participating in reconciliation. United Way includes traditional Indigenous territory acknowledgement at events & delivers cultural proficiency workshops to staff.

  • 2017

    CIR partnered with Manitoba Metis Federation and Louis Riel Institute for the Legacy of Hope exhibition “Forgotten: The Métis Residential School Experience.”

  • 2017

    CIR develops 7 goals aimed to build knowledge, relationships & capacity with and for Indigenous Winnipeggers. CIR’s Strategic Plan connects more deeply with United Way Winnipeg’s aim of building a Better Winnipeg Together.

  • 2017

    United Way Winnipeg becomes a signatory to the City of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord.

  • 2018

    CIR partnered with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation for the Legacy of Hope exhibition Peter Henderson Bryce: A Man of Conscience.

  • 2019

    United Way Winnipeg staff begin cross-departmental work as part of the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) process. Early work results in the creation and adoption of United Way Winnipeg’s Indigenous Relations Policy.

  • 2020

    CIR expands to welcome volunteers from other United Way Winnipeg committees. The Council redefines their way of working together in new Terms of Reference. These terms embrace the diversity across First Nation, Inuit and Metis nations, celebrate reciprocity, and lift up Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

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Youth and employers meet to talk about employment.

“If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time; but if you are here because your liberation is bound up with mine, let us work together.” —Lilla Watson

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